Mayo Clinic Minute: Childhood cancer by the numbers

September 18, 2017

In the U.S., more than 10,000 children up to age 14 will be diagnosed with cancer. Of these children, more than 1,000 will die. While these statistics from the American Cancer Society seem grim, there is much hope.

September–Childhood Cancer Awareness Month–is a time to celebrate that hope and bring awareness to these children. It's also a time to stress the importance of research.

"Research is an integral part of Pediatric oncology," says Dr. Shakila Khan, a pediatric oncologist at Mayo Clinic. "Most of the pediatric cancers are curable now, and we are continuously trying to improve outcomes and decrease late effects of treatment to improve our patients quality of life. We have become so successful in treating childhood cancer because of clinical trials and the brave patients and families who agree to participate in them."